Football: Notebook - Cyclone community honors Celia Barquin Arozamena

Travis HinesSports Editorthines@amestrib.com

Saturday

Sep 22, 2018 at 4:03 PM

Plus notes on Brock Purdy, Connor Assalley and Chase Allen

The most important aspect of Iowa State’s football game against Akron on Saturday likely had very little to do with the final 26-13 score. Rather, it was about the opportunity to come together as a community after the death this week of former ISU women’s golfer Celia Barquin Arozamena.

“A really tough week, an emotional week in Ames, Iowa,” ISU coach Matt Campbell said. “You hope a little bit of today starts the healing process. We’ve got the best fans in the country, and it was a very interesting week in a lot of ways in terms of watching this community rally around each other.”

There were a number of tributes to the native of Spain who had exhausted her athletic eligibility but was still enrolled at ISU as she completed her civil engineering degree requirements. There was also a moment of silence before kickoff in her honor.

“That was a quiet place for a second,” quarterback Zeb Noland of Jack Trice Stadium. “When the moment of silence came, it was truly eye-opening.”

Most of the 54,028 fans in attendance wore yellow - her favorite color - while both ISU and Akron wore helmet decals with her initials.

“I think it’s emotional for the team, but more for the community,” wide receiver Hakeem Butler said. "That’s who we play for. That’s who we do everything for, the community.

“For that to happen and hit home so close, it’s just tough.”

Purdy makes debut

True freshman quarterback Brock Purdy made his Cyclone debut, playing two snaps in the fourth quarter.

Purdy was subbed in when the Cyclones got into the red zone early in the final frame, handing off once to running back Johnnie Lang and then losing one yard on a rush of his own.

The three-star prospect was one of ISU’s highest-rated recruits in the 2018 class, and with Kyle Kempt (MCL) out, the prospect of him needing to play in high-leverage situations is very real.

“Trying to get him some critical reps in the game,” Campbell said. “He gives us a little bit of mobility, gives you that high-end elite passer and certainly gives you the ability to manage the football game.

“We’ll see what Brock continues to do.”

Kicker Campbell’s “player of the game”

Sophomore kicker Connor Assalley helped mitigate ISU’s ineffectiveness in the red zone, connecting on all four of his field goals, including three in the fourth quarter.

“He was my player of the game,” Campbell said. “I hope he’s not many more players of the game, but certainly was the player of the game today for us.”

Allen sidelined

The Cyclones were without starting tight end Chase Allen, who is dealing with a groin injury. His status for TCU next week remains uncertain.